University of La Verne: August 2008 Archives
The University of Redlands men's water polo team received its second ranking in a week's time with a sixth-place ranking in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) preseason coaches' poll with a point total of 109, according to a release yesterday by the WWPA. No Division III institution received a better 2008 preseason ranking in the WWPA.
Loyola Marymount University earned the top spot with 168 points, including 11 first-place votes. UC San Diego trailed closely behind with the second-highest point total of 150.
Other Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) schools in the WWPA, all of which were represented on the preseason poll, include Pomona-Pitzer Colleges (seventh), Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges (eighth), Cal Lutheran University (ninth), Occidental College (11th), Whittier College (12th) and the University of La Verne (14th).
Last week, Redlands received the No. 1 national ranking among Division III men's water polo programs, according to the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA).
Compiling a 2007 overall record of 22-14 and a 9-1 SCIAC tally, the Bulldogs finished No. 1 in the nation among Division III institutions. Redlands finished sixth in the WWPA tournament, defeating Pomona-Pitzer Colleges but falling at the hands of eventual champion Loyola Marymount University and UC San Diego.
The Bulldogs travel to San Diego in September to start the 2008 season where they will compete in the UC San Diego Triton Invitational. Redlands squares off against Long Beach State at 10:30 a.m. and UC San Diego at 1:30 p.m. to open the invitational on Sept. 6.
The University of La Verne volleyball team starts the season ranked No. 5 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Traditional title contender Juniata is ranked first with reigning national champion Washington University-St. Louis at No. 2. Emory (Ga.) is third and Wittenberg fourth.
The only other SCIAC school mentioned is Cal Lutheran which checks in at No. 24.
Coach Don Flora returns four starters and 11 letter winners, including senior outside hitter Brianna Gonzales, an AVCA first-team All-America selection in 2007. Also providing La Verne firepower will be 2006 AVCA honorable mention All-American, outside hitter Crista Jones and all-conference athlete Karli Fowlkes, a middle blocker.
Interim Director of Athletics Julie Kline has announced the hiring of Joe Skovron as new head golf coach. A 2004 graduate of La Verne, Skovron returns to his alma mater and succeeds longtime coach and La Verne Hall of Famer Rex Huigens, who retired at the conclusion of the 2008 campaign.
One of the most accomplished players in Leopard history, Skovron played four seasons under Huigens, twice earning All-America honors (2001, 2004) along with being named SCIAC Player of the Year in 2001. He also was a member of the Leopards' 2004 SCIAC Championship team which also finished 6th at the NCAA Division III Championships.
Skovron also was a two-time Academic All-America (2003, 2004) and earned La Verne Male Scholar-Athlete Honors in 2004. He turned professional in June 2004 and played on the U.S. Pro, Spanos, Gateway and Canadian Tours.
